Sen Sushi grabs spot on 'Bib Gourmand' list for its value

An Oak Park restaurant got a shout-out from the highly regarded Michelin Guide this week, though not one of its coveted stars.

On Wednesday, Michelin Guide Chicago named its "Bib Gourmand" list for 2012, noting 56 restaurants in the Chicago area that are considered "inspectors' favorites for good value."

The two-year-old Sen Sushi, 814 S. Oak Park Ave., was the lone Oak Park restaurant getting a nod on the list. Other suburban honorees include Yolo in Skokie and Xni-Pec de Yucutan in Brookfield, alongside city staples such as Girl & the Goat and Frontera Grill.

Gapers Block labels the Bib Gourmand designation as "slightly below a star," while a Michelin spokesman stopped short of that Thursday, calling it a "completely different category." Restaurants on the list are recognized for their value, with patrons able to grab two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less before tax or tip, according to a press release.

Michelin plans to announce which Chicago-area restaurants received stars for 2012 on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The good news: Sushi Sen is getting some well deserved recognition. the bad news, it will be harder than ever to get a table there!

Wendy P. from Oak Park

Posted: November 10th, 2011 6:47 PM

My husband and I crave Sen Sushi on a regular basis - truly the best sushi around! The people who work/own this restaurant make you feel so welcomed and really know the meaning of great service!

Julie M from Oak Park

Posted: November 10th, 2011 6:40 PM

I eat at a variety of sushi restaurants in Oak Park and Chicago. I think the food at Sen Sushi is about the best I've had---amazingly fresh and delicious!

artchix17 from Oak Park

Posted: November 10th, 2011 5:24 PM

The food is terrific but come winter (but wait, it's already here!) it's going to be unacceptably drafty. A tiny place with hard surfaces everywhere makes for a noisy dinner. And the seating is positively Wright-like, being a feast for the eyes but really hard on our human contours.

Joel A. Schoenmeyer from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: November 10th, 2011 3:27 PM

I love this place. It's got wonderful food, and I'm glad it got some big-time recognition.